The Red Pill

TORONTO, ON — (November, 2016) – When a feminist filmmaker starts documenting the polarizing world of the men’s rights movement, she begins to question her own beliefs. The Canadian Association for Equality (CAFE), a national educational charity, will sponsor screenings of the documentary “The Red Pill” through its branches in five major Canadian cities: Vancouver (November 20), Calgary (December 1), Toronto (December 2), Ottawa (December 4) and Montreal (January 2017).

“The Red Pill” resulted from a successful crowdfunding campaign after traditional funders made it clear they would only support a film that set out – in advance – to attack men’s rights activism. The movie has stirred much controversy. In Melbourne, Australia, a screening was cancelled by the Palace Kino Cinema following a petition that called the film “misogynistic propaganda.” It was successfully screened at another venue.

Cassie Jaye, an independent filmmaker and producer, started her journey as a feminist who believed that men’s rights activism was a hate movement. As she has her eyes opened to the reality that men and boys can face discrimination, she begins to question her own views on gender, power and privilege. She comes finally to believe that society must address issues faced by both men and women.

“As debates on gender heat up on and off campuses across Canada, it has become critical that those from different perspectives find a way to understand each other,” said CAFE Executive Director Justin Trottier.

“The Canadian Association for Equality, while not a men’s rights organization, has emerged as a leading voice advocating for the full integration of men’s issues within work on gender equality. That puts us in a good position to host forums for people of different points of view to come together to screen and discuss this film.”

The film highlights numerous issues facing men and boys such as suicide, workplace fatalities, military conscription, lack of services for male victims of domestic violence, divorce and child custody issues, and men’s lack of reproductive rights.

“It’s no secret that some have felt threatened by CAFE’s own work on behalf of boys and men,” said Trottier. “We always endeavour to welcome our critics to visit with us at our men’s health facility and to learn what we’re all about. It’s so refreshing that Cassie Jaye took exactly that open-minded initiative. She now serves as a bridge between activists who should be working together to better the lives of all people.”

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